The Head of Cooperation, French Embassy in Ghana, Mr. Julien Lecas has visited the French-Ghanaian research project on plastic recycling at the University of Ghana.
The visit was a follow-up to the Nyansapo Workshop, a collaboration between the University of Ghana and the French Embassy, held earlier in February.
The project, "Detritus-In-Energy-Out: Value Addition to Solitary Use Plastic Waste Materials in Ghana", aims to contribute to the reduction of plastic waste pollution by recycling the plastics into high-value-added fuels and residues for domestic use, in small engines, generators, and off-grid solar-thermal hybrid systems.
Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and Principal Investigator of the umbrella project (Nyansapo-UG Project), stated in his remarks that the project's primary objective is to reduce environmental pollution and educate students on how to recycle.
Prof. Dodoo-Arhin stressed that waste management is a worldwide issue that requires everyone's support. He added that the project makes a positive contribution to waste management by using a procedure called ‘Pyrolysis.’ He described ‘Pyrolysis’ as a procedure that involves heating used plastic waste at high temperatures and condensing or cooling the vapors into liquid forms, which are the petroleum products produced as a result of the process.
(L-R) Prof. Felix Ankomah-Asante, Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, and Mr. Julien Lecas
The IAST Director clarified that the project places a focus on a circular economy in which the gathered char is converted into super-capacitor batteries. The super-capacitor research he said, is an extension that can be looked at in the future.
Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin announced that IAST has been selected to host the 17th International Conference on Advanced Materials of the International Union of Materials Research Societies in 2025. The team will also be in Singapore in June to make a presentation on the project.
Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin leading a tour of the Nyansapo site
Sharing his thoughts about the partnership, the Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy, Mr. Julian Lecas expressed his excitement about the partnership and the opportunity it affords the Embassy and the University.
“We are very happy about this partnership between the French Embassy and the University of Ghana. It is a real pleasure and honour to be here,” he remarked.
Dr. Florent Engelmann, the Nyansapo Project Coordinator and the Scientific Attaché of the French Embassy, indicated that the project is co-funded by the French Embassy in Ghana (Solidarity Funds for Innovative Projects: FSPI 2022-31 NYANSAPO Innovative partnerships for higher education and research).
Dr. Florent Engelmann, Nyansapo Project Coordinator and Scientific Attaché of the French Embassy
In order to expand the project, Dr. Engelmann disclosed that a proposal for a semi-industrial reactor to be built and run in a community in the Accra Metropolitan Area has been submitted to a 2023 FSPI-R call for proposals. This project is called Valorisation of Plastic Waste for Fuel Production (Valoplastiques).
Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences highlighted that one of the aims of the School is to empower students to get involved in commercial activities. She welcomed further support to the project to help develop the energy sector.
Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin led the team to tour the Nyansapo project site.
There was also a live demonstration of a vehicle being run on a high-value-added fuel produced by the students.
The project team involves, Ange Nzihou, Ecole des Mines d'Albi-Carmaux, France; Doan PHAM MINH, Ecole des Mines d'Albi-Carmaux, France; Nathalie LYCZKO, Ecole des Mines d'Albi-Carmaux, France; Michael Commeh, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science &Technology, Ghana; Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ghana; Edem Mahu, Department of Marine & Fisheries Science, University of Ghana; Dr. Anthony Afful Dadzie, Business School, University of Ghana and Benjamin Ofori Denkyira, Institute of Environment & Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana.
A group photo featuring Dr. Florent Engelmann
Also present were Prof. Elvis Tiburu, School of Engineering Sciences, UG; David Courtin, Research Scientist; Jereme Ganne, Research Scientist; Esther Clare Athonu, Project Assistance; and Nada Amartey Mills, Communication Officer.
